Director/writer Yen Tan, born in Malaysia, but has based his films firmly in the US queer cinema soil, PIT STOP is his third feature, surprisingly nabbed a nomination for John Cassavetes Award in 2014 Independent Spirt Awards, which on a bright side, bespeaks that it is not an usual homo-erotic fare cranked out to gratifying its niche demography.There are two paralleled stories take place in a small town called Dodge, Texas, about two gay men, Gabe (Heck) and Ernesto (DeAnda), they are strangers in the beginning and destined to meet, but Tan patiently spends three-quarters of the time deconstructing their respective relationship snags, then consummates their encounter with an intimate and romantic finish touch to imply that a brand new start is beckoning.It is refreshing to find out that our protagonists are not stereotyped urban hipsters this time, their blue-collar background may suggest that they are more prone to homophobic hostility within their social circles, so thanks God that Tan wisely leaves enough lacunae to that front, since it is too stale and insignificant compared with what he intends to explore, the inner states which mostly reflects from their relations with the closest ones.Gabe is a construction work contractor, he was married before, and is recently dumped by his partner, a closeted family man, who backtracks on their decision to start a new life together. Gabe is still in good term with his ex-wife Shannon (Seimetz), and after the break-up he decides to raise their 6-year-old daughter together. Both him and Shannon need to move forward, but it is easier said than done, Shannon wants to go back to the familiar more-than-friends status, but the reality proves that it is a convenient option but not a sensible one.Ernesto, a Mexican immigrant, is in another paradox, he breaks up with his young boyfriend Luis (Maduro) but the latter still lives in his apartment, he asserts to move out but procrastinates. Meanwhile Ernesto is taking care of another ex, who is unconscious in a coma, and has no one else. So, for Ernesto, it is time to clear his mind and stop dithering about responsibilities which overstay their welcome, just because he has a kind heart.Gabe has a dog and Ernesto has a cat, through their interactions with pets, their personalities are artfully displayed, the entire film is meandering in an unhurried pace, and renders a minute dedication to every set piece without any whiff of pretentiousness and self-indulgence. The two leads are pretty awesome in their inward struggle, Bill Heck, is particularly touching in bringing about Gabe's frame of mind.The titular pit stop, is a gas station where both Gabe and Ernesto constantly stop by but never linger longer enough to be acquainted with, that is why their eventual meet is so rewarding because audience has been watching closely to those two lonely souls fumble through their disoriented life and try to get on the right orbit. To sum up, PIT STOP is an unostentatiously heart- warming romance with both sincerity and affection, it is definitely worth your time.

I liked the two leads, genuine, warm performances, especially the dad.It was poorly filmed, very dark and shadowy at times, I so hate squinting at the screen.And the two leads with beards didn't help matters.BUT, the film took a long time to get to where it was going.Which was literally nowhere but a one night stand.Yes, it was tender. But there was absolutely no development of the characters' relationship. Unless you include that old cliché of the bad script shortfall featuring a couple silently laughing and laughing together over stuff the audience is never privy to.Odd unsatisfying effort. Like a sundae full of imitation ingredients.3 out of 10

Among the most engaging and satisfying gay films I have seen! Reminiscent of my all-time favorite "Weekend" in its ability to draw you in and leave you wanting more. Yes, the pace is slow, the location is rural Texas and the film received scant buzz. So what? This gem allows us to spend skillfully nuanced moments. Hats off to the director, can't wait to see his other films. He was co-writer as well. The two leads give remarkable performances. I wanted to see at least another hour to find out what happen(ed) next. Kudos to the other actors, who benefit from empathetic writing and realistic (and appealing) dialog. Spread the word about Pit Stop. I'm looking forward to seeing it again.

Recent Spirit Award nominees have cropped up in the past few years including 'Keep the Lights On' and 'In the Family', sensitively-made films on a gay theme. Now in 2014, we have 'Pit Stop', which is also as good as these fine predecessors. 'Pit Stop' focuses on two blue collar workers from Texas, Gabe and Ernesto (played by an excellent Bill Heck and Marcus DeAnda, respectively). We see each of their stories for most of the film separately, and note that both are getting over failed relationships.In the case of Ernesto, his ex-boyfriend, Luis, is still living with him. He initially tells Luis he can take as much time as he wants to move out but changes his mind when the ex-boyfriend starts dating other men and keeps him up, while watching late night TV. Ernesto also visits another ex-boyfriend, who's in a coma, after being critically hurt in a car accident.Gabe's situation is different. He's still living with his wife and young daughter but no longer sleeps with her. He recently broke up with a man and now is dating again. In a notable scene, Gabe goes out on a date with a teacher—who falls asleep on their date watching a foreign film in a movie theater. Gabe drives the date home, who apologizes for not wanting to see him again, as he makes it clear that he hasn't gotten over his last relationship.There's also a sub-plot involving Gabe's wife, Shannon, who goes out with a co-worker, Winston, on a date. Shannon, desperate for physical companionship, gets drunk and puts the moves on Winston, who isn't ready to get physical on a first date. Sure it's possible that Gabe's sexual rejection of his wife would lead her to want to have sexual contact with a man she's probably not that attracted to (Gabe tells Winston at one point that Shannon isn't attracted to heavy set men). But usually, the roles are reversed: women are wary of having sex on a first date, especially when it involves a man they don't find that attractive.While the pacing of the film is fairly slow, the interactions between the characters ring true. Another excellent scene is when Luis has left and calls Ernesto on the phone, from New Mexico. Luis feels he's lost but Ernesto tries to convince him that he'll eventually get it together, if he just applies himself (like going back to school). At the same time, Ernesto makes it clear that he doesn't want Luis to return.We see the connection between Gabe and Ernesto at film's end, as they meet through online dating. They're basically instantly attracted to one another as they recognize that they have both been trying to fill a similar void, in their lives. 'Pit Stop' is a low key drama which, as I pointed out above, proceeds rather lugubriously. Nonetheless, for the patient film-goer, you will be rewarded by excellent acting, direction and characters that seem to jump off the page, of real life.